MISSIONS IN

North Korea

God is moving in North Korea

The State of Missions in North Korea

Missions in North Korea are shaped by an almost completely closed society where Christian faith is treated as a threat to the state and believers worship secretly. 2 unreached people groups remain, representing about 25,926,000 people; Korean is the largest listed community. Sustainable mission means equipping national believers, strengthening healthy churches, and serving neighbors without creating permanent outside dependence.

  • 27M POPULATION
  • 0.4% CHRISTIANS
  • 100% LITERACY
  • 2 UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS
  • Korean LARGEST UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUP
  • 26M UNREACHED POPULATION
  • Pyongyang CAPITAL CITY
  • Pyongyang Hamhung Chongjin LARGEST CITIES
  • North Korean Won CURRENCY
  • Continental climate, with cold dry winters, warm humid summers, monsoon rains, and harsh northern. CLIMATE
  • Korean PRIMARY LANGUAGES
  • Non Religious LARGEST UNREACHED RELIGION

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God Is at Work. You’re Invited Into the Story.

God Is at Work. You’re Invited Into the Story.

Around the world, God is moving through ordinary people who pray, give, go, and serve. Hold the Rope helps you discover the stories—and find your place in them. Read More

Explore by Category

Bible Translation Korean Scripture must circulate discreetly because possession of Christian materials can bring severe punishment.
Church Planting North Korean believers depend on hidden fellowships rather than visible church planting or public gatherings.
Disaster Relief Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Education Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Gospel Access North Korea has two UPGs, including nearly 25.9 million unreached Koreans living inside its closed system.
Human Trafficking Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Medical Missions Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Orphans & Vulnerable Children Church planting remains urgent among Somali, coastal Muslim.
Persecuted Church Discovered Christians can face imprisonment, torture, or execution, making secrecy and prayer essential.
Poverty & Justice Families affected by detention and food insecurity need practical help through trusted outside networks.
Unreached People Groups Millions still have little or no access to the gospel in their language and culture.

Active Projects across North Korea

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A History of God's Faithfulness in North Korea

Pyongyang was once called the Jerusalem of the East after revival in 1907; communist rule later crushed visible church life, forcing surviving believers underground. Today, the best path forward is to deepen indigenous leadership rather than recreate permanent dependence on outside workers. The next chapter will be strongest when local churches disciple their own people and engage North Koreans reached through discreet personal and media channels with biblical clarity and cultural wisdom.

  1. Early Beginnings

    Pyongyang was once called the Jerusalem of the East after revival in 1907.

  2. 1900s

    communist rule later crushed visible church life, forcing surviving believers underground.

  3. Independence Era

    After communist consolidation, surviving believers maintained Christian faith through hidden networks and extreme secrecy.

  4. Modern Movement

    Today nearly all genuine Christian fellowship remains underground, supported indirectly by diaspora and outside networks.

  5. Today

    North Korea remains one of the world's most dangerous places to follow Jesus, with almost the entire population unreached.

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